*Start des Baumwollexpress X80 in Gronau, u.a. mit Bocholts Bürgermeister Thomas Kerkhoff (2.v.l.).*

*© RVM*

01. September 2022Traffic

With only one change to Berlin in 6 hours

Bus line X80 - the "BaumwollExpress" - is in operation // Daily between Bocholt to Gronau and Bad Bentheim in 1:43 h // "Alternative to the car

Bocholt residents can now travel to the northern district by express bus. The new bus line X80, the so-called "BaumwollExpress", started operation today. It connects eight communities from Bocholt to Gronau and Bad Bentheim over a distance of 85 kilometers. The official starting signal was given today in Gronau.

Five new buses with upscale equipment standards are being used on the X80 line. They have free WLAN, USB charging sockets and a generously dimensioned multi-purpose area, according to the transport company RVM Regionalverkehr Münsterland GmbH.

The BaumwollExpress runs through to Bad Bentheim. From Bad Bentheim station, among other things, a direct train to the capital Berlin.

"North-south gap closure"

"The new bus line is a good north-south gap closure in the district of Borken. Among other things, our university of applied sciences in Bocholt is quickly and better accessible for students from the northern district. In addition, you can get from Bocholt directly to Berlin in a good 6 hours from Bad Bentheim with just one change - this also makes the line very attractive," says Thomas Kerkhoff, mayor of the city of Bocholt, who ceremoniously opened the line together with other mayors from the district of Borken.

"We are pleased to be able to offer citizens this equally fast and environmentally friendly connection with the BaumwollExpress," said a delighted Dr. Kai Zwicker, District Administrator of the Borken district. Dr. Elisabeth Schwenzow, head of the transport department of the district of Borken, emphasizes: "With just 14 stops, the BaumwollExpress makes the journey from Bocholt to Bad Bentheim in one hour and 43 minutes, a journey time that need not fear comparison with the car."

The ExpressBus X80 will initially be offered on a trial basis from Sept. 1, 2022, to Aug. 31, 2024.

"With comfortable buses and a good range of trips, we will do everything we can to present public transport as a real alternative to the car for the region with the X80," emphasizes André Pieperjohanns, managing director of RVM.

Info on the "BaumwollExpress" X80 at www.rvm-online.de/rvm/projekte/baumwollexpress.